In rememberance of September 11th, I'm offering one copy of my somewhat gently read ARC of Saffron Dreams and matching book mark by Shaila Abdullah. I just finished it yesterday and it is a very good read.
From the back cover: "From the darkest hour of American history emerges a mesmerizing tale of tender love, a life interrupted, and faith recovered. Arissa Illahi, a Muslim artis and writer, discovers in a single moment no matter how carefully you map your life, it is life itself tht chooses your destiny. After her husband's death in the collapse of the World Trade Center, the discovery of his manuscript marks Arissa's reconnection to life. Her unborn son and the unfinished novel fuse in her mind into one life-defining project that becomes at one the struggle for her emotional survival and the redemption of her race.
Saffron Dreams is a novel about our ever evolving identities and the events and places that shape them. It reminds us that in the midst of tragedy, our dreams can become a lasting legacy."
Open to US only. Deadline to enter is Sept 14 at 5 PM.
Just leave a comment, including your e mail address, that briefly describes what you were doing when you heard the news about the World Trade Center attack.
I was going into a planning meeting at the school where I teach. The room was dead silent and everyone was watching the T.V. We watched as the 2nd airplane flew into the trade center - and then we knew it wasn't an accident. When I went home that afternoon my husband's gear (he was military -now retired) was gone and there was a note that said, "I love you and I'll see you soon." I didn't see him or hear from until 2 days before Christmas. I still have the note.
ReplyDeletejgoffice(at)cox(dot)net
I was at a neighbors taking care of their dog. I remember going outside and hearing nothing. Not a car, plane, or any noise at all. It was so strange. My son was in school, and he came home and told me, that the teachers turned on the tvs, and let them watch the news.
ReplyDeletetwoofakind12@yahoo.com
I was getting the kids ready for school. It was a beautiful morning here too, remember how blue the sky was that day?
ReplyDeleteSaffron Dreams looks very good.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I was in my world history class in high school when I found out. We watched it on tv.
ReplyDeleteamandarwest at gmaildotcom
I was at work and a friend called and asked if we knew what was going on. We hurried to the TV we had in the other room and we just couldn't believe it!
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Oh, memories. My son was getting ready for school and had his TV on when we saw the planes hit.
ReplyDeleteI posted this for you at win a book..
http://winabook.westofmars.com/2010/09/11/saffron-dreams-by-shaila-abdullah/
I was getting ready to go walking at the MOA (MN.) I don't think it really sunk in until I was walking and everyone was gathered around a TV at a news stand and we saw the first tower fall. The mall was closed shortly after that.
ReplyDeletekpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI was sitting in school when the Principal came over the loudspeaker and said there was an accident at the Towers and one of them was on fire. He then came on again and said the second tower was hit and they suspected terrorists. Not long after, he came on again, announced the towers had fell and they would be closing the school to be an evac center (we lived close to the city). I remember going home and sitting in my yard and being able to see how black the sky was from all the smoke. My family went to the city 10 days later and when we left my feet were black from the ash and soot of the city. I will never forget what happened that day or the lives that were lost.
ReplyDeleteiswimforoceans(at)gmail(dot)com
I was working in my school library when the counselor's husband called to tell her what was happening. All of the teachers and staff poured into the library where we watched the events unfold. I will never forget that harrowing day...ever. Nor will I ever forget those that lost their lives.
ReplyDeletestacijoreads@gmail.com
I was in school, and we watched the news on tv for almost the entire day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
twigerina[at]hotmail[dot]com
I had a knee injury and I was awaiting surgery so I was home on 9/11/01. I remeber my roomate at the time waking me up to tell me and then watching in horror that day and the next few days, I could not take my eyes away from the tv.
ReplyDeleteLove & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
We had landed in Athens only a few hours before - took a nap and woke to hear the news. We thought they were joking (it would be very odd humor, but we just couldn't take it in) until we saw it on the hotel owners TV. My legs actually collapsed under me.
ReplyDeleteThe owners friends were LAUGHING and one chanted "Osama!" (at the time we wondered who the heck Osama was). I am very non-confrontational usually, but I nearly got in a brawl I was so upset. I'm a female and I lunged for one of the big Greek men that was laughing - my friend had to physically restrain me. But I'm half Greek myself, so I laid into them verbally - shame shame shame. One man apologized and left, head hanging down, but the owner sneered. Obviously we checked out immediately.
We hid out in the islands while desperately trying to get a flight home - but of course nothing was flying. We NEEDED to come home and be with our loved ones.
Thank goodness for CNN, so we were able to keep up on what was going on, and for the internet so we could reach family and friends (phone systems in the islands were overloaded)
The only good bit was as we were FINALLY able to fly home, we were back in Athens for the day. While walking by the hotel we had stayed at our first night, we overheard the owner bemoaning the tourists all leaving and his business suffering.
no need to enter me, but I wanted to pipe in and say this was one of the best books I've read in a while and I love that it is printed "greenly."
ReplyDeleteI was in the Olive Garden rest, and when I ordered my lunch the waitress told me, I could not eat, got it in a box and took off home. I have been shopping and didn't hear until then.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog and have you on my blog as I follow you http://edna-myfavoritethings.blogspot.com
mamamt2730(at)charter(dot)net
I was teaching kindergarten at the time & another teacher pulled me aside to tell me the news. I really didn't believe it till I got home & saw it on the news. Terrible day!
ReplyDeleteruthiekb72@yahoo.com
Please enter me & thx for the contest
ReplyDeletethehighflyer3(at)hotmail(dot)com